Lisa Marie Persaud, LAC
Welcome to Earthrise Counseling! I’m Lisa Marie Persaud (she/her/hers), a Licensed Associate Counselor in Arizona with a Master of Philosophy in Professional Counseling degree, and a Master of Science in Education in Counseling and Mental Health Services degree, from the University of Pennsylvania. In addition, I hold a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Theater.
I’m an existential-integrative therapist trained in providing trauma-informed care and work with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, adjustment-related challenges to life transitions, grief, chronic pain, and PTSD. I am also passionate about working with individuals navigating Holotropic States, non-ordinary experiences, spiritual emergencies and existential distress.
My training includes, but is not limited to, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Training Narrative Therapy (STAIR), and Psychedelic- Integration Therapy.
I utilize techniques from the following theories, modalities and psychotherapies: Transpersonal Psychotherapy, Existential- Humanistic Psychotherapy, Person- Centered Therapy, Attachment Theory, Mindfulness and Meditation, Dreamwork, Somatic Experiencing, Compassionate Inquiry, Jungian Analysis, Positive Psychology, Ecotherapy, Logotherapy, Bibliotherapy, Expressive Arts Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, and Adlerian Therapy.
I am sensitive to the interrelatedness of mind, body, and spirit and approach my clients holistically; in other words, as bio-psycho-social-spiritual beings—several theoretical perspectives are integrated and adapted to meet each client’s unique needs, desires, and values. I also have deep reverence and respect for our innate healing intelligence and embrace the archetype of the inner healer. I tend to my clients with radical empathy, non-judgment, and compassion, and strive to create a safe and nurturing environment where their process of individuation can unfold, and trust in their unique gifts is restored.
My approach is intuitive, integrative, collaborative, heart-centered, culturally-sensitive, practical, and trauma-informed, and is guided by process philosophy, transpersonal science, psychedelic science, and ecopsychological perspectives.
I view each client as unique, dynamic, and worthy of support, understanding, and love, and counseling as a collaborative process where the counselor and the client go on a journey together; at the peak of the experience, both are transformed.
My interests include the healing potential of ecotherapy and non-ordinary states of consciousness. I’m especially interested in sublime and awe-inducing experiences that catalyze Holotropic States, spiritual and mystical experiences, and emotional shifts that foster insight, well-being, and a deeper connection to oneself, others, and the natural world. I am dedicated to the healing of energetic wounds and the transformation of consciousness.
Our Story
“Earthrise” is a portrait of Earth rising above the lunar horizon for a third time, and was captured by NASA Apollo 8 astronaut Bill Anders on December 24th, 1968.
Earthrise Counseling is a practice inspired by “Earthrise,” considered the most influential environmental photograph ever taken, as stated by Nature photographer Galen Rowell. It is guided by a perspective of compassion, emphasizing the understanding that we are all in this together.
At Earthrise Counseling, we believe that love, hope, healing, and connection are essential ingredients for personal and planetary transformation.
Counseling Philosophy
Existential- Humanistic
The existential-humanistic perspective honors the subjectivity of conscious existence. As part of our subjective nature each individual struggles with self-awareness, basic freedom, social and intra-personal identity, the meaning of our life and death, and the anxiety associated with consciousness (Existential- Humanistic Institute, 2023). Together we will explore your deepest life’s predicaments along the polarities of self – society, love – transience, freedom – responsibility, meaning – absurdity, fear – transcendence, and belief – faith.
Person- Centered
The person-centered perspective supports that “a new therapy is created with each client” (Yalom, 1980, 2002). This perspective encourages client agency and collaboration within the therapeutic relationship. I have deep reverence and respect for our innate healing intelligence and embrace the archetype of the inner healer. I tend to my clients with radical empathy, non-judgment, and compassion, and strive to create a safe and nurturing environment where their process of individuation can unfold, and trust in their unique gifts is restored.
Transpersonal
The transpersonal perspective encourages an understanding of the role of spirituality in our lives, and exploration of our relationship with the cosmos. It is referred to as the “Fourth Force” in psychology and includes the exploration of the spiritual dimensions of our psyche (Grof, 2008). I am sensitive to the interrelatedness of mind, body, and spirit and approach my clients holistically; in other words, as bio-psycho-social-spiritual beings— several theoretical perspectives are integrated and adapted to meet each client’s unique needs, desires, and values.
Every Healing journey begins with one small step
It would be my honor to walk with you as you transcend challenges and reclaim your autonomy, experiencing wholeness, enhanced connectedness to self and others, and rediscover meaning and purpose in life.
Together we’ll navigate the intricate threads of existence, and explore choices and potential pathways towards individuation, healing and personal transformation.
Earthrise Counseling 